Abstract

EXPERIMENTAL CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER

Improved methods of microscopic technic permitting the study of finer changes in the structure of the liver, especially mitochondrial and reticulum stains, are responsible for recent additions to our knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of cirrhosis of this organ.

Fiessinger and Albot,1 as well as Martin,2 in studying in animals early stages of experimental lesions that eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver, have shown that the first detectable changes invariably take place in the hepatic parenchyma and consist of mitochondriolysis and hyaline degeneration. This was found to be true regardless of the toxic agent used.